Criminal Defense Lawyers in Hernando County, Florida

How to Beat a Florida Criminal Charge

In Hernando County, prosecutors and law enforcement alike take criminal cases very seriously. In fact, they work in tandem to investigate crimes and pursue the most severe penalties possible, including imprisonment, monetary fines, and more. Specifically, these entities engage all of the resources that they have in their possession to safeguard the public from being harmed.

To save money, a person facing criminal charges may choose to represent himself or herself following an arrest. However, this is not a recommended course of action, as this could lead to serious legal and personal consequences. Conversely, we strongly suggest that you seek out the services of a skilled Hernando County Criminal Defense Attorney who knows the prosecutor, the judge, the ins and outs of the courtroom, and the applicable law. Only an attorney experienced in handling criminal cases is in the best position to help you to seek a reduction in the charges or an outright dismissal of the case.

Keep in mind that even if you have been charged with a misdemeanor-level offense, it could still result in the imposition of monetary fines, jail time, the loss of one’s driving privileges, and much more. If you are being charged with a criminal offense in Hernando County, contact the diligent and experienced Hernando County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Musca Law today. We are available 24/7 at 1-888-484-5057 to advise you of your legal rights and options.

Criminal Offenses in Hernando County, Florida

Florida divides criminal offenses between misdemeanors and felonies, and then further separates each class of offenses into a variety of different degrees. The primary difference between a misdemeanor and felony-level offense in Florida is that the defendant must be placed in jail if he or she is convicted of a felony. However, keep in mind that a person who is convicted of a misdemeanor-level offense in Florida may still be sent to county jail where the jail term cannot exceed one year. Conversely, an individual who is convicted of a felony will be sent to a state penitentiary where the prison term depends upon the type of crime committed.

The maximum penalties for crimes in Hernando Country, Florida are as follows:

Category of Offense

Maximum Period of Incarceration

(F.S. §775.082)

Maximum Allowable Fine

(F.S. §775.083)

Second-Degree Misdemeanor

Sixty-Days in County Jail

$500.00

First-Degree Misdemeanor

One-Year in County Jail

$1,000.00

Third-Degree Felony

Five-Year Prison Sentence

$5,000.00

Second-Degree Felony

Fifteen-Year Prison Sentence

$10,000.00

Third-Degree Felony

Thirty-Year Prison Sentence

$10,000.00

Life Felony

Incarceration for Life without Parole

$15,000.00

Capital Felony

Death Sentence

N/A

When issuing a sentence in Hernando County, a judge must follow the Florida sentencing scoresheet. The purpose of these guidelines is to guarantee that crimes in different Florida counties will be punished similarly. Therefore, an individual who faces an assault conviction in Hernando County will receive a similar punishment as a person in another Florida county. The presiding judge has the authority to issue a lesser sentence as provided by the score on the sentencing scoresheet if he or she believes that the alleged offender deserves such consideration. In the same vein, a judge has the discretion to increase the level of punishment if he or she feels that it is warranted based upon the facts and circumstances of the case.

An experienced and skilled Hernando County Criminal Defense Lawyer is fully aware that the sentencing phase of a trial demands aggressive advocacy. Diligent criminal defense lawyers from Hernando County use all resources necessary to seek a reduction or dismissal of the criminal charges, believing that everyone facing criminal charges deserves a second chance.

Commonly Charged Offenses in Hernando County, Florida

Controlled Substance Laws in Hernando County, Florida

Florida is well-known for the aggressive prosecution of drug-related offenses. People who are not citizens of Florida are often surprised to find out that they are the subject of felony charges for having in their possession even a minute amount of a controlled substance. Specifically, police often arrest minor drug dealers who possess drugs simply for their own use. In this case, a skilled Hernando County Criminal Defense Attorney will request that the judge send the offender to a drug treatment program rather than to prison. Undoubtedly, prison time does not enable an offender to learn how to address their drug addiction issues.

Florida Statutes Chapter 893 codifies Florida’s drug laws. This chapter outlines the schedule for the classification of drugs, the penalties associated with drug crimes, as well as prohibited acts. Several drug-related convictions in Hernando County require the offender to be subject to a minimum mandatory jail sentence.

At Musca Law, our Hernando County Criminal Defense Lawyers represent individuals facing the following charges:

  • Trafficking narcotics;
  • Selling, possessing, or distributing controlled drugs;
  • Possessing or distributing drug paraphernalia; and
  • Conspiracy.

If a conviction is secured by the prosecution, our skilled advocates fight for our clients to be able to obtain sentencing alternatives such as drug court, probation, outpatient/inpatient drug counseling programs, placement in dual-diagnosis programs, and drug treatment and detoxification programs. If you are facing drug-related charges in Hernando County, contact a skilled Hernando County Drug Crime Defense Attorney immediately to learn more about your legal rights and options.

Charges for Domestic Violence in Hernando County, Florida

In Hernando County, domestic violence-related crimes are prosecuted heavily, even if the allegations are misleading, exaggerated, or completely false. Keep in mind that law enforcement must place a person under arrest if he or she is suspected of committing an act of domestic violence.

Section 741.28 of the Florida Statutes governs domestic violence cases in Florida. Under this statutory section, not every type of relationship between two individuals qualifies as a domestic relationship. Specifically, siblings, those who reside together, former spouses, spouses, children as well as those who share a child or children in common are considered domestic relationships for purposes of the aforementioned statute.

If convicted under the above statute, an offender will face minimum-mandatory jail time for certain domestic violence-related offenses. Additionally, a judge can sentence an individual convicted of domestic violence to probationary terms that are extremely strict, and force him or her to attend a batterer’s intervention program, among other consequences. Said individual may also lose certain constitutional rights, including the ability to possess a firearm and ammunition. If you are facing domestic violence charges in Hernando County, contact an experienced Hernando County Domestic Violence Defense Attorney as soon as possible in order to safeguard your legal rights.

Sex Crimes in Hernando County, Florida

The Hernando County Sex Offense Defense Lawyers at Musca Law handle extremely complex criminal cases, including sex offense matters. It is important to consider however, that everyone charged with a sex offense in Hernando County is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Accordingly, it is critical for a person charged with a sex offense in Hernando County to hire a skilled legal advocate from Musca Law who is experienced in handling such cases as:

  • Sex offender registration offenses;
  • Solicitation of a prostitute;
  • Aggravated sexual assault;
  • Aggravated sexual battery;
  • Sexual battery;
  • Sexual assault;
  • “Pimping;”
  • Stalking;
  • Cyberstalking;
  • Lewd or lascivious acts;
  • Possession of child pornography; and
  • Human trafficking.

Sexual-based offenses in Hernando County require a defense attorney to diligently prepare the strongest defense strategy possible, as the stakes in these cases are very high. There are various consequences associated with a sex offense conviction, including long term imprisonment, sex offender registration, probation, social stigma, a permanent criminal record, and more. If you are being charged with a sex-based offense, it is critical that you hire an experienced Hernando County Sex Crime Defense Lawyer as soon as you can in order to safeguard your legal rights.

DUI-Related Offenses in Hernando County, Florida

A conviction for driving under the influence, or DUI, in Hernando County can negatively affect a person’s life for years to come. While most DUI-related offenses are misdemeanor-level crimes in Florida, they can still amount to time served in jail and other serious repercussions.

In addition to jail time and monetary fines, Florida’s DUI law, codified at Florida Statutes §316.193, mandates that a convicted offender be subject to the impoundment of his or her vehicle, the installation of an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle, community service, probation, a suspended license, and driver’s education courses, to name a few. Keep in mind that there are collateral consequences of a DUI conviction in Hernando County, including a permanent criminal record and a dramatic increase in one’s auto insurance rates. Therefore, it is vital for an individual facing DUI charges to hire a skilled Hernando County DUI Defense Lawyer as soon as possible after being arrested.

At Musca Law, our Hernando County DUI Defense Attorneys have significant experience defending clients facing the following allegations:

  • Commercial vehicle DUI;
  • Aggravated DUI;
  • DUI;
  • Serious bodily injury DUI;
  • Subsequent offense DUI;
  • Hit-and-run DUI; and
  • DUI manslaughter.

Theft Crimes in Hernando County, Florida

Florida Statutes §812.014 is Florida’s theft law. The term “theft” in Florida pertains to a variety of different crimes where the specific claim centers upon one person taking the property of another person without permission with the intention of depriving its owner thereof. Theft-based offenses in Florida are stratified, meaning that they depend upon the value of the property stolen, the amount of money taken, and whether certain circumstances exist such as a theft from a person who is aged 65 or more.

At Musca Law, our experienced Hernando County Theft Defense Attorneys represent clients facing a whole host of different theft charges, including:

Violence-Based Crimes in Hernando County, Florida

Only diligent and skilled Hernando County Criminal Defense Lawyers with significant trial experience are in the best position to represent clients facing violent crime charges. Specifically, the defense of violence-based offenses in Hernando County requires a thorough investigation conducted by the defense team and a comprehensive examination of the factual and legal issues at hand.

Musca Law’s Hernando County Criminal Defense Lawyers are experienced at handling the following types of violent crime cases:

A person charged with a violence-based offense in Hernando County, if convicted, may be faced with an extended term of incarceration, including life without parole or even the death penalty.

Hernando County, Florida White-Collar and Cyber Crime Defense

White-collar crimes typically involve such offenses as racketeering, embezzlement, bribery, identity theft, and perjury. Specifically, the term “white-collar” connotes that the offense was perpetrated through secrecy or the exertion of influence over another individual (rather than strong-arm-based offenses such as robbery or burglary).

Cyber crimes may also constitute white-collar crimes, as they involve using the internet to exploit others, sell illegal goods, deal in drugs, run prostitution rings, distribute child pornography, and solicit minors for sex. Attorneys who defend clients facing cyber crime charges must have a solid understanding of technology in order to develop a winning defense case for their clients.

Hernando County Juvenile Offenses

Juvenile justice matters can be complex, and are ever-changing. Research demonstrates that the brains of adolescents do not fully mature until they are much older, despite what was once thought. Moreover, female brains mature quicker than those of males. These discoveries have led to a shift in how juveniles are treated in the criminal justice system. Meaning, that Hernando County Criminal Defense Lawyers can advocate for a minor (a child under the age of 18) to be treated, educated, and rehabilitated without having to be sent to a juvenile detention center.

Hernando County Protective Injunction Orders

Section 784.046 of the Florida Statutes and Section 784.0485 of the Florida Statutes allow for a person who has been the victim of violence to seek a remedy, known as a protective injunction, through a civil – not criminal - court judge. In order to seek an injunction, an alleged victim must submit a form to the court known as a petition, detailing the reasons why an injunction is warranted. There are five types of injunctions a person can pursue in Florida, which are stalking injunctions, domestic violence injunctions, repeat violence injunctions, sexual violence injunctions, and dating violence injunctions.

It is important to realize that protective injunctions are often wrongfully sought, such as to exact revenge on another person or gain an advantage in a case such as a family law proceeding (i.e., a custody battle). Accordingly, if you are the subject of a Hernando County protective injunction matter, it is vital that you contact a Hernando County Protective Injunction Defense Attorney to help you to refute the allegations and safeguard your legal rights.

Musca Law: Aggressive Criminal Defense in Hernando County

Contact Musca Law now at 1-888-484-5057 to speak with a skilled Hernando County Criminal Defense Attorney. Our lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your case. We have over 150 years of collective legal experience representing clients facing a whole host of criminal charges throughout the state of Florida. Don’t wait to seek skilled representation, as your freedom and livelihood are at stake!

Get your case started by calling us at (888) 484-5057 today!